Bottle holder for bottle washing machines



Nov. 7, 1933.

'R. J. WYNNE ET AL .BOTTLE HOLDER FOR BOTTLE WASHING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed` March 4. 1952 305er? f Wynn.,

Pay/ZH )72e R. J. WYNNE ET Al.

BOTTLE HOLDER FOR BOTTLE WASHING MACHINES Nov. 7, 1933.

Filed March 4, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 7, 1933 UNITED STATES BOTTLE HOLDER FOR BOTTLE WASHING MACHINES Robert J. Wynne and Paul H. Meyer, Bellwood,

lll.,

assignors to Solar-Sturges Mfg.

-Melrose Park, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application March 4, 1932.

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to a bottle washing machine and particularly to a machine which is useful in dairy and beverage plants for washing large quantities of bottles for re-use. The invention however is not limited to dairy or beverage use as it is susceptible of adaptation to washing bottles of any character and kind.

There are bottle washing machines in use at the present time for washing bottles in large quantities but the present machines are not completely satisfactory in that it is impossible to wash bottles of diierent sizes indiscriminately inserted in the machines and furthermore the present machines grip the bottles by the crowns for movement through the machines thus necessarily contaminating to some extent the crowns of the bottles even after sterilization in the machines The present type of machines are adap'able for washing bottles of diierent sizes but in such event the machine must be adjusted to wash one size of bottles and then adapted to receive a different size. In other words the presen;l machines do not wash more than one size of bottle at a time and require adjustment to accommodate the machines to bottles of different sizes.

The machine of the present invention on the other hand will, without adjustment, wash bottles of different sizes and also convey the bottles through the machine by engagement of the body. of the bo tle, leaving the crowns free and ejecting or unloading the bottles from the machine by pressure applied to the bottoms of the bottles.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bottle washing machine which will, wihout adjustment, wash bottles of different sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide a bottle washing machine wherein bottle carriers are provided having open ends so that a boltle may be pushed out either end of a carrier, and which carrier indiscriminately receives bottles of diierent sizes.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bottle washing machine wherein the bottles are unloaded or ejected by pressure means applied to the bottoms of the bottles.

A yet further object of the invention is to prof videa bottle washing machine with means for un- -loading bottles from the machine without any part thereof coming in contact with the crowns of the bottles after sterilization.

' A yet further object of the invention is to provide a bottle washing machine wherein rows of bottles of diierent sizes are received and are and during such movement some of the bottles are Serial No. 596,717

removed from the chain and presented to brush washing and spraying means, with individual means for the several bottles whereby bottles of different sizes may be brush washed and sprayed without having to adjust the machine to the different sizes of bottles.

Another and yet further object of the invention is to provide a bottle washing machine for continuous operation whereby quantity washing of bottles of dierent sizes may be accomplished with minimum expense and with minimum expenditure of time involved in the washing operations.

Another and further object of the invention is to provide a bottle washing machine of the conveyor chain type adaptable for washing large quantities of bottles wherein the bottles are thoroughly washed and sterilized and removed from the machine wi.hout any part thereof coming in Contact with the crowns of the bottles after sterilization.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a plurality of individual bottle carriers so arranged that bottles may be removed and applied to either end of the carriers.

The above, other, and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims.

Generally speaking the invention contemplates a bottle washing machine of the conveyor chain type wherein a conveyor chain is provided with a plurality of bottle carriers or spring cups which carriers or cups are open at both ends so that a bottle may be forced out of either end of the carrier and which carriers have spring fingers for normally retaining the bottles therein against accidental displacement.

The invention contemplates further an unloading mechanism wherein the sterilized bottles are removed from the chain by pressure applied to the bottoms of the bottles.

The present invention will be illustrated and described in connection with an arrangement thereof suitable for washing milk bottles and it 100 is to be understood however that the invention is not to be limited to the washing of milk bottles as the machine is readily adaptable for washing any kinds of bottles or like containers where occasion requires such a washing machine.

The present application is a continuation in part, as to all common subject matter, of applicants copending application Serial No. 542,239 filed June 5, 1931.

The accompanying drawings chosen to ex- 110 emplify the present invention comprise the following views:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a bottle washing machine such as that illustrated in copending application Serial No. 542,239 and including the present invention and in this figure showing in general the linkage and special gear for operating the linkage for actuating various parts of the machine.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a bottle holder which may be employed in the conveyor chain of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through the bottle holder of Fig. 2 showing a fragmental portion of a ram for discharging a bottle from one end of the holder, and showing how the ram maintains the fingers in spread position to receive a bottle through the finger end of the holder.

Figure 4 isa fragmental vertical sectional View through the right end of the machine as illustrated in Fig. 1.

Figure 5 is a top plan view of a bottle carrier or spring cap supporting member showing the same attached to the conveyor chain, and provided with four bottle, carriers.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view through a spring cap or bottle carrier as illustrated in the present instance.

The drawings will now be explained.

The illustrated form of the invention comprises a casing A within which the conveying and washing and other mechanism is enclosed. The casing is supported on a floor by means of threaded upstanding bolts 1 having the lower ends headed in piece 2 which bolts extend through brackets 3 pivotally secured to the casing A. Nuts 4 and 5 vertically position the brackets 3 on the bolts 1 so as to level the washing machine casing on the oor. A motor B is suitably mounted in the casing A for driving the apparatus and also for actuating a pressure pump C.

The apparatus is of the type employing an endless conveyor chain, intermittently actuated, which chain carries a plurality of bottle carriers or cups.

A shaft 6 is transversely supported in the casing and is provided with a pinion 7, herein referred to as the driving pinion, in mesh with a triangular shaped gear C which has a gear rack about its periphery.

A connecting rod or driving link 9 is at one end fastened to the triangular gear C and its upper end is pivoted to a cross-head D.

Similar linkage members are used on each side of the casing which are similar in construction and operation and consequently the descriptionY of the linkage on one side of the machine it is believed, will suffice for both.

A link 10 is secured at its upper end to the cross-head B in pivotal relation and at its lower end is pivoted at 11 to another link 12. The other end of the link 12 is guided in an arcuate slot 13 formed in the side of the casing. A link 14 has one end pivoted at 15 to the lever 12 and its other end pivoted at 16 to an arm 17 of a bell crank E which bell crank is secured to a shaft 13 extending through the casing. The other arm.19 of the bell crank E is pivoted at 20 to one end of a long lever 21, theother end of which lever or link is pivoted at 22 to an arm 23 of a bell crank F. Bell crank Frocks a shaft 24 suitably journaled in the machine. The other arm 25 of the bell crank F is pivotally connected at 26 to one end of a link 27 the other end of which is pivoted at 28 to an arm 29 of a bell crank G.

The bell crank G rocks a shaft 30 extending transversely of the machine at the right hand or loading end of the same. The other arm 31 of the bell crank G, sometimes referred to herein as a loader arm, `extends a slight distance beyond the front end of the machine to afford a seat 32 for receiving bottles and moving the same into engagement with the carriers on the conveyor chain. The bell crank G is herein sometimes referred to as the loader.

A bell crank H rocks about a stud 33 above the loader. One arm 34 of the bell crank H is pivoted at 35 to one end of a slide member 36 which is guided for vertical reciprocation in the machine structure. A link 37 is pivoted at one end at 38 to the slide member 36 and at its other end pivoted at 39 to the arm 25 of the bell crank F between its shafts 24 and the pivotal connection 26 with the link 27. The other arm 40 of the bell crank H is pivoted at 41 to a slide for the unloader which will hereafter be explained.

A link 42 is pivoted intermediate its ends at 43 with the link 12 and at its upper end a pin 44 extends transversely into the casing through a slot 45 formed in the casing. The pin 44 is, in- Wardly of the casing, provided with pawls for imparting step by step or intermittent motion to the conveyor chain. The lower end of the link 42 is pivoted at 47 to a link 48 the other end of which is pivoted at 49 to the connecting rod 9 intermediate its ends.

A reduction gear is associated with the motor B and has as a part thereof a sprocket 50 for driving a sprocket chain 51 secured to the drive shaft 6 for rotating the same. The sprocket Vchain 51 engages a sprocket wheel 52 on the shaft 6.

The cross-head D is guided in guide .members 53 formed as a part of the washing machine.

The cross-head D is provided with a yoke 54 which in present instance is provided with a plurality of depending rods 55 carrying at the lower ends thereof pusher blocks for dislodging bottles from the conveyer at certain positions in the travel of the same.'

Figure 4 illustrates portions of the apparatus for carrying out some of the steps of the bottle washing cycle.

. Lower rear sprockets, (not shown), are mounted on the shaft 18 which is suitably journaled in the apparatus. l Upper rear sprockets, (not shown), are supported on a shaft near the upper rear part of the machine.

Front lower sprockets 61 are carried on a shaft n 30 disposed near the lower front end of the machine while upper front guide plates, not shown, are provided for supporting and guiding the conveyor chain.

The conveyor as a matter of fact comprises two chains 63 and 64 (portions vof which are illustrated in Fig. 5) which chains are arranged along each side of the casing and are cross connected at intervals in the length thereof by members 65 which in turn are provided with a plurality of bottle carriers or spring cups. There are four such cups illustrated as being carried by one of said cross membersl The conveyor member therefore consequently comprises two chains, 63 and 64 at each side of the machine connected at intervals in the length of the same by the cross members 65 which members constitute bridges, thus cooperating with the chains to form a complete bottle conveyor element.

in bottom run holding the bottles erect and in the top run inverted or reversed in position.

Within the lower portion of the machine and including the lower run of the conveyor is a soaking/bath tank K which is shown as extending from end to end of the machine but of course might be made as a series of compartments separated one from another so that the temperatures of the soaking solutions-in the various tanks m'ght be varied if desired.

A series of at metal strips 73 are secured by angle members 74 in the tank and underlie the paths of movement of the bottle carriers of the conveyor. These strips are provided so that the bottoms of the bottles may rest on the same as the bottles are moved to the soaking bath and to prevent dislodgment of the bottles should some of such bottles be smaller than the carrier. The strips 73 are curved upwardly at each end to conform with the paths of movement of the conveyor through the soaking tanks.

Loader The loader as before stated comprises the bell crank G- and its associated arm 31 and bottle support 32. As the bell crank G is moved in counter-clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 by the linkage in a manner to be hereinafter described, the bottles placed on the shelf 32 are raised and carried along and pushed into bottle carriers in the position R of Figure 4 which is the bottle receiving position of the bridge members of the conveyor. It will be observed that the carriers in this position are inclined downwardly so'that bottles delivered thereto will be moved into the carriers fo1`movement to the machine.

Unloader The unloader of the present invention comprises a receiver shown in the present instance as a rotatable casing F (Fig. 4) which is arranged for clockwise rotation about a shaft 151. The receiver S is provided with a plurality of pockets 152 disclosed in the present instance as 90 apart. The receiver is given intermittent rotary motion in clockwise'direction by the linkage hereinafter described.

A plurality of horizontally disposed pusher blocks 153 are carried on stub extensions 15e of the horizontally movable cross-head 155. The cross-head is guided in slots 156 formed in the sides of the casing A and is actuated by the arms of the bell crank H. The pockets or compartments 152 of the receiver S are transversely partitioned to provide pockets for receiving bottles ejected from the conveyor by the pusher blocks 153.

The receiver S is given motion of rotation of 90 as the conveyor is moved one step by its driving mechanism.

The receiver S receives bottles discharged horizontally from the bottle carriers in the position T, bottles being pushed into the contiguous pockets of the receiver through the bottle carriers by act against the bottoms of the bottles pushing the same out of the bottle carriers so that the tops' of the bottles are adjacent the shaft 151. When the receiver is given rotative movement of one step the bottles are then deposited on a platform 157 underlying the open end of the lower pocket -when in vertical position. The platform 157 1s carried on a cross-head 158 guided for vertical movement. 159 are mounted in a crosshead 158 to support the platform 157. The crosshead 158 is connected by the pivot 38 of the linkage and is lowered during the time the chain conveyor is at rest. The platform 157 Iis lowered to register with an endless belt 160 which is illustrated as discharging outwardly of the side of the casing A for receiving from the platform 157 the bottles discharged thereon from the receiver S. The bottles. are kicked from the platform 157 onto the belt 160 by a kicker mechanism including arms 161, which are freely mounted on the ends of the shaft 151 and which at the lower ends are connected by a member 162 constituting a foot. The arms 161 are given movement in clockwise direction to kick the bottles onto the belt 166 by means of a link 163 which at one end is connected to the arm. 161 and at the other end has an enlarged portion with a slot therein through which projects a pin on the arm 40 of the bell crank 1-1 thus constituting a lost motion connection in the arm 161 in the bell crank H. As the pusher block 153 of the unloader moves to the left as viewed in p Figures 1, fr and 7 of the drawings the arm lio or the bell crank H moves through the slots of the arm link 163 and on completion of the movement of the ejector crosshead will cause .the arms 161 to swing in clockwise direction thus kicking ou the bottles on the platform 157 onto the belt 160. Continued movement of the linkage raises the platform 157 into the position shown in Figure 4 for receiving another lot of bottles from the receiver S.

Y It will be observed that when bottles are loaded into the "conveyor such bottles are so loaded by pressure against the bottoms of the bottles. When the bottles are removed from the conveyor at the intermediate bottle washing stage it is done by pressure applied to the bottoms of the bottles. Again when the bottles are removed from the conveyor for transmission away from the machine such movement is accomplished by pressure applied to the bottoms of the bottles. Thus at no time are the bottles engaged by the necks, and consequently when the bottles are finally discharged from the machine same are sterile about the necks as the necks have been untouched by any part of the loading or unload- .ing mechanism.

The operation of thewashing machine is as follows:

The soaking bath tank K has of course been filled with a soaking solution of proper consistency preferably a caustic solution made from a suitable alkali. rilhis soaking bath yis heated to proper temperature and a plurality of bottles are assembled for loading into the machine.

The motor B is put in operation whereupon the driving pinion 7 is rotated by driving shaft 6 to actuate the gear rack 8 of the triangular gear member C. Looking at Figure 1 the-direction of rotation of the shaft 6 and its supported pinion 7 is counterclockwise such movement therefore will cause the triangular gear C to move to the left as viewed in Figure 1 when the horizontal portion of the rack 8 is in engagement with the lid@ driving pinion 7 and causing movement of the triangular gear C downwardly and to the right when the right hand leg of the rack 8 engages the driving pinion 7 and upwardly and to the right when the left hand leg of .the rack is in engagement with the driving pinion 7. Movement to the left being effected only when the horizontal portion of the rack engages the driving pinion.

Consequently vertical reciprocal motion is imparted to the crosshead D and swinging movement imparted 'to the driving link 9 for actuating the link controlled by the up and down and swinging movement of the driving link 9.

The bottle carriers or cups-illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 comprise a body 220 of cylindrical form having an outturned flange 221 at one end whereby the cups may be secured to the bridge members ,65. Nearl the other ends of the bodies 220 sets f parallel slots 222 and 223 are formed and lingers 224 have hook members 225 hooked throughthe slots 222 and then up outwardly through the slot 223 thus engaging the partition 226 between the slot for retaining the fingers in position. The iingers have near the hinged ends thereof depression 227 which extend inwardly' and which receive the circularA spring 228 whose function is to keep the .lingers-'contracted and allow spreading .thereof when a bottle is pushed through the cup. The other ends of the lingers curve inwardly and lie in closely adjacent position under influence of the spring 228. The tips of the fingers are outturned at 229 to aid in ease of application or insertion of a bottle in this end of the carrier.

The bottle carriers of Figures 2 and 3 as readily support bottles of various sizes as do the carriers illustrated in the other figures of the draw- Figure 3 illustrates the action of the fingers ,10; 224 whenever one of the pusher blocks 56 is pushed through the carrier for spreading the lingers and dislodging a bottle from the finger end thereof in the same manner as these pusher blocks 56 dislodge bottles from the bottle carriers of the other iigures. As soon as the pusher' 56 of Figure 3 is withdrawn the spring turns the fingers to normal.v position which is that shown in Figure 2. v

The bottle holders illustrated in Figures 2` and 3 are supported in the cross members 65 substantially in the same manner as the bottle hold.

The gist of the present`invention resides in the provision of bottle carriers of such form and arrangement that bottles may be inserted at either end and detained therein for movement thru a bottle washing machine. The invention further contemplates the provision vof spring iingers for retaining in the carriers when in verted position bottles of various sizes.

The bottle holders and carriers of the present invention, when adapted for milk bottle washing machines, receive quart sized bottles, pint sized bottles and gills with equal facility and wash these various sizes indiscriminately as the same vare presented to the machine.

This washing of indiscriminately loaded bottles of various sizes is made possible by the particular bottle carrier or cup of the present invention.

This invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details yet it is to be 'understood that changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows:

l. In a bottle washing machine of the conveyor type, a row of bottle carriers consisting of a cross member supporting a plurality of cylindrical bottle receiving bodies of fixed diameter, said bodies being open at both ends, every body having a plurality of convergent fingers hinged to the body at the inner end thereof, springs surrounding said fingers for normally maintaining the free ends thereof in close relationship to prevent accidental A dislodgment of bottles through said fingers, and pusher elements effective at a certain portion 'in the machine for dislodging bottles from the conveyor, said pusher elements acting against the bottoms of the bottles in a row and forcing the bottles out of the 115 carriersbetween said fingers, said springs yielding to-allow spreading of the ngers' to permit passing of the bottles through the same, the;4 pusher elements spreading the fingers to permit release of the bottles from the flngers.

2. A bottle carrier for a bottle Washing machine including a cylindrical body open at bothi. ends; convergent fingers hinged to one end of said body, and a spring encircling said fingers for normally maintaining the free ends thereof in 125 close relationship, said spring yielding to` allow spreading of said fingers to permit passage of a bottle out of said body through Vand between 'said fingers.

, ROBERT J. WYNNE.

PAUL H.. MEYER. 

